Prevent OBS Audio Peaking with the Limiter Filter
In this guide, you will learn how to use the Limiter filter in OBS Studio to prevent your microphone and desktop audio from clipping or peaking. We will cover what a Limiter is, how to apply it to your audio sources step-by-step, and the ideal settings to ensure your stream or recording maintains professional, distortion-free sound quality.
What is a Limiter?
A Limiter is an audio processor that acts as a strict ceiling for your volume. No matter how loudly you shout or how loud an in-game explosion gets, the Limiter prevents the audio signal from exceeding a set decibel (dB) threshold. This stops your audio from entering the “red zone” in OBS, which causes digital distortion and clipping that can hurt your viewers’ ears.
How to Add the Limiter Filter in OBS Studio
Follow these steps to apply a Limiter to any audio source in OBS:
- Locate the Audio Mixer: Open OBS Studio and find the Audio Mixer dock, which displays the volume meters for your microphone and desktop audio.
- Open the Filters Menu: Click on the three vertical dots (or gear icon in older versions) next to the audio source you want to limit (usually your Mic/Aux) and select Filters.
- Add the Limiter: In the new Filters window, click the + (plus) icon in the bottom-left corner, select Limiter from the list, name it (e.g., “Limiter”), and click OK.
Configuring the Limiter Settings
Once the Limiter is added, you will see two adjustable sliders: Threshold and Release.
- Threshold (dB): This is the maximum level your
audio is allowed to reach.
- Recommended Setting: Set this between -3.0 dB and -6.0 dB. Setting it to -3.0 dB ensures your audio remains loud and clear but never hits 0.0 dB (the clipping point).
- Release (ms): This determines how quickly the
Limiter stops compressing the audio once the volume drops below the
threshold.
- Recommended Setting: Leave this at the default 60ms. This provides a smooth transition without causing a “pumping” effect in your audio.
Testing Your Settings
After configuring the filter, speak loudly into your microphone. Watch the visual meter in the OBS Audio Mixer. The green/yellow bar should bounce freely, but even if you shout, the bar should stop exactly at the threshold you set (e.g., -3.0 dB) and should never hit the very end of the red zone.